Reveries

Friedrich awoke in the quiet of a classroom at the Kriegsakademie. That had been a boring lecture, no wonder he had fallen asleep. He would now get ribbed by the other cadets, served him right for spending most of last night at the Saracenerkopf with the serving maid. But what had made him remember all those stories his parents and grandfather had told him about the time of the French invasion?

Of course after the campaign his parents were married in the abbey in Sonnenbad. No one seemed to remember that father never denied the claims that he was a prince whereas in reality he was only a nephew of the Saxon Elector. He had gone on to serve in the Saxon armies through most of its campaigns, first alongside the Prussians in 1806 and then with the French through 1809 and 1812. He then changed sides and joined the Prussians in early 1813 and was now the general in charge of this district of the Prussian Rhine provinces.

He was never sure about his mother’s activities, but at times she disappeared for weeks before returning. He suspected that she was somehow involved in resistance to the French occupation.

As he grew older, “Uncle Hans” would appear from time to time and take him shooting in the woods and then entertain him with stories of past battles over the camp fire while their supper was cooking.

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This ends my winter solo campaign, which took far longer than planned, it will restart again in the autumn. Thanks to all those who have followed the campaign and given feedback.

Will